The figures stood at 206 at the same time yesterday.

By far, two patients who tested positive for the virus have died in Britain and the majority of the confirmed cases of COVID-19 are in England, said the department.

The British government also outlined further details on proposed measures expected to be included in an upcoming COVID-19 Emergency Bill.

For example, volunteers who have already played a central role in helping the health and social care system function will be given additional employment safeguards, so that they can leave their main jobs and temporarily volunteer in the event of a widespread pandemic, said the government.

New NHS (National Health Service) data released this week showed that telephone calls to NHS 111 have increased by more than a third compared to the same period last year, with 120,000 extra calls in the first week of March, the department said.

"We plan for the worst and work for the best, and the NHS is working 24/7 to fight this virus," said Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is scheduled to chair a second meeting of the government's COBRA emergency committee on Monday in response to the growing number of infected cases.

Johnson on Friday announced a new funding package of 46 million pounds (around 60 million U.S. dollars) for urgent work to find a coronavirus vaccine and develop a rapid test for the disease.

The government has set out an action plan to tackle the spread of the virus. The plan has four strands: containing the virus, delaying its spread, researching its origins and cure, and finally mitigating the impact should the virus becomes more widespread.